Acts 25 11

Acts 25:11 kjv

For if I be an offender, or have committed any thing worthy of death, I refuse not to die: but if there be none of these things whereof these accuse me, no man may deliver me unto them. I appeal unto Caesar.

Acts 25:11 nkjv

For if I am an offender, or have committed anything deserving of death, I do not object to dying; but if there is nothing in these things of which these men accuse me, no one can deliver me to them. I appeal to Caesar."

Acts 25:11 niv

If, however, I am guilty of doing anything deserving death, I do not refuse to die. But if the charges brought against me by these Jews are not true, no one has the right to hand me over to them. I appeal to Caesar!"

Acts 25:11 esv

If then I am a wrongdoer and have committed anything for which I deserve to die, I do not seek to escape death. But if there is nothing to their charges against me, no one can give me up to them. I appeal to Caesar."

Acts 25:11 nlt

If I have done something worthy of death, I don't refuse to die. But if I am innocent, no one has a right to turn me over to these men to kill me. I appeal to Caesar!"

Acts 25 verses

Acts 25 11 Meaning

Acts 25:11 records Paul's pivotal declaration before Governor Festus, asserting his legal stance. He unequivocally states his readiness to accept a death sentence if found guilty of any capital crime. Simultaneously, he fiercely rejects being unjustly surrendered to his Jewish accusers if their charges prove baseless. He then decisively invokes his right as a Roman citizen to appeal his case to the ultimate imperial court, the Emperor Caesar himself. This challenges the local provincial jurisdiction, ensuring his case moves to a higher, more impartial tribunal in Rome.

Acts 25 11 Context

Paul had been imprisoned in Caesarea for two years under Governor Felix, who hoped for a bribe and delayed justice. Festus, Felix's successor, upon arriving, was immediately pressured by Jewish leaders from Jerusalem to bring Paul to trial there, plotting to ambush and kill him en route. Festus, aiming to curry favor with the Jews (Acts 25:9), suggested Paul go to Jerusalem to be tried by him there. This proposition was highly dangerous for Paul, who knew the Jewish leaders' intentions (Acts 25:3) and likely suspected Festus's motives. Facing a politically compromised court and the certain threat of an unfair trial leading to his demise or an ambush, Paul made his decisive appeal. Historically, Roman procurators like Festus had wide judicial powers but were expected to uphold Roman law and protect Roman citizens' rights, including the critical right of provocatio ad Caesarem—the appeal to the emperor. This legal right served as a safeguard against provincial injustice, transferring the case to the supreme court in Rome.

Acts 25 11 Word analysis

• If then I am a wrongdoer (εἰ μὲν οὖν ἀδικῶ – ei men oun adikō):

  • εἰ μὲν οὖν (ei men oun): "If then indeed." This is a strong conditional conjunction that introduces a hypothetical scenario Paul is willing to consider, yet it implies doubt.
  • ἀδικῶ (adikō): "I am a wrongdoer," or "I am committing wrong." This verb refers to doing injustice or committing an offense that violates established legal or moral standards. Paul uses it in the present tense, suggesting any ongoing or recognized wrongdoing. The implication is an offense worthy of punishment.

• and have committed anything worthy of death (ἢ ἄξιον θανάτου πεπραχά τι – ē axion thanatou peprachā ti):

  • ἄξιον θανάτου (axion thanatou): "Worthy of death." This refers to crimes meriting capital punishment under Roman law, such as sedition against Rome, murder, or treason.
  • πεπραχά (peprachā): "I have committed" or "done." This is a perfect tense verb, indicating a completed action with lasting consequences. Paul refers to any past act that would render him liable. This shows Paul understands the gravity of such an accusation.
  • τι (ti): "Anything," or "something." This indefinite pronoun covers any possible capital offense they might allege.

• I do not object to dying (οὐ παραιτοῦμαι τὸ ἀποθανεῖν – ou paraitoumai to apothanein):

  • παραιτοῦμαι (paraitoumai): "To beg off," "to refuse," "to decline," "to avoid." Paul's strong declaration that he would not evade a just sentence if found guilty of a capital offense. It expresses a willingness to accept due punishment.
  • τὸ ἀποθανεῖν (to apothanein): "To die," infinitive, acting as the object. He does not shy away from death if it is the rightful consequence of his actions. This statement underscores Paul's confidence in his innocence and his integrity before God and man.

• but if there is nothing to what these men accuse me of (εἰ δὲ οὐδέν ἐστιν ὧν οὗτοι κατηγοροῦσίν μου – ei de ouden estin hōn houtoi katēgorousin mou):

  • εἰ δὲ (ei de): "But if." A strong contrast to the preceding conditional clause, emphasizing the opposite and, for Paul, true reality.
  • οὐδέν ἐστιν (ouden estin): "There is nothing." Paul asserts that the accusations are utterly baseless.
  • ὧν οὗτοι κατηγοροῦσίν μου (hōn houtoi katēgorousin mou): "Of which these men accuse me." Katēgorousin (present tense) is a formal legal term for "to accuse," used for legal prosecution. Paul specifically points to his present Jewish accusers.

• no one can give me up to them (οὐδείς με δύναται αὐτοῖς χαρίσασθαι – oudeis me dynatai autois charisasthai):

  • οὐδείς (oudeis): "No one." A universal negative, asserting absolutely no individual, including Festus, has the legal right or power.
  • δύναται (dynatai): "Is able," "can." Emphasizes legal authority and capacity.
  • χαρίσασθαι (charisasthai): "To grant as a favor," "to give away," "to surrender." This verb implies a concession made to gain favor or to appease. Paul argues that to hand him over, a Roman citizen, for a groundless charge would be an unjust political favor, forbidden by Roman law.

• I appeal to Caesar (Καίσαρα ἐπικαλοῦμαι – Kaisara epikaloumai):

  • Καίσαρα (Kaisara): "Caesar." The reigning emperor, Nero, who held ultimate judicial authority.
  • ἐπικαλοῦμαι (epikaloumai): "I appeal," "I call upon." This is the precise legal term (the Roman provocatio) for invoking the right of a Roman citizen to transfer their case from a provincial court to the emperor himself. It halts the local proceedings and requires the case to be sent to Rome. Paul exercises his right as a Roman citizen fully, strategically shifting his trial out of Festus's reach and the Jewish leaders' immediate malicious intentions.

• Words-group by words-group analysis:

  • "If then I am a wrongdoer... I do not object to dying": This phrase highlights Paul's integrity and courage. He positions himself as someone who respects the law and accepts its consequences, even death, if truly guilty. It removes any claim that he is simply trying to evade justice; instead, he insists on true justice.
  • "but if there is nothing to what these men accuse me of, no one can give me up to them": This segment firmly asserts his innocence and invokes his legal rights. Paul explicitly reminds Festus of his duty as a Roman governor to protect a Roman citizen from unjust surrender or politically motivated favoritism, particularly when charges are false. He challenges Festus to act lawfully.
  • "I appeal to Caesar": This short, declarative statement is the climax. It is Paul's most potent legal defense. This appeal legally transferred his jurisdiction from Caesarea to Rome, effectively circumventing the conspiracy to kill him and ensuring a trial under higher Roman authority, thereby also aligning with God's prophetic purpose for him to testify in Rome (Acts 23:11).

Acts 25 11 Bonus section

• Divine Alignment: Paul's legal appeal was also a strategic spiritual move, directly fulfilling God's promise to him that he must bear witness in Rome (Acts 23:11). This highlights how divine providence often works through human actions, legal systems, and personal choices, guiding circumstances toward a pre-ordained spiritual outcome.
• A Precedent of Citizenship: Paul’s assertion of his Roman citizenship, here and in other instances (e.g., Acts 16:37-39, Acts 22:25-29), provided an important early precedent for how believers navigating the secular world could judiciously use their legal rights to defend themselves and the gospel, without compromising their spiritual integrity.
• Implications for Festus: Paul's appeal legally stripped Festus of his authority over the case. This maneuver demonstrated Paul’s deep understanding of Roman law and exposed Festus’s political motivations to the potential scrutiny of Caesar's court. Festus, therefore, had no option but to confirm the appeal, saying, "To Caesar you have appealed; to Caesar you shall go" (Acts 25:12).

Acts 25 11 Commentary

Paul's statement in Acts 25:11 is a remarkable display of legal shrewdness, steadfast faith, and Roman citizenship exercised in defense of his gospel mission. He does not plead for mercy or escape from justice, but demands justice be properly administered. His conditional statement ("If then I am a wrongdoer... I do not object to dying") affirms his commitment to righteousness and confidence in his blamelessness before the law, both human and divine. Crucially, he rejects any scenario where he would be a political pawn handed over to his accusers as a "favor" by the governor. The definitive phrase, "I appeal to Caesar," was a citizen's ultimate safeguard against provincial corruption or prejudice. This declaration not only thwarted the Jewish plot against his life and Festus's attempt at appeasement but also providentially charted his course to Rome, fulfilling a divine imperative (Acts 23:11). Paul leverages earthly rights and legal systems, not to escape suffering, but to advance the gospel and receive a just hearing in the empire's capital.